Control apparatus



Jan. 22, 1929. 1,699,756

5. B. SCHENCK CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1927 z i F793.

' 5a hl lll fifil'l M W 64 INVENTOR $mueAB5c/7ev7cA- AT ORNEY WITNESSES:

Patented Jan. 22, 1929.

UNITED STATES SAMUEL B. SCHENCK, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORTO \X E-sTlNG- HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFVANIA.

CONTROL APPARATUS.

PEN N SYL- Application fi led February 5, 1927. Serial No. 166,138.

This invention relates to control apparatus andmore particularly tocontrol apparatus for gas-electric power systems.

The object of the invention, generally stated, is the provision of anactuating handle for control apparatus that shall be simple andefficient in operation and readily and economically manufactured.

A more specific object of the invention-is to provide for the actuationof predetermined groupsof control members of a gas-electric power systemand the locking of other control members against operation when aselected group has been operated.

A further object of the invention is to as sure the actuation of all thecontrol members to their neutral positions before the actuating handlecan be removed.

Other objects of the invention will, in part, be obvious, and will, inpart, appear hereinafter.

The invention, accordingly, is disclosed in the embodiment thereof shownin the accompanying drawing and comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and

arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructionhereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will beindicated in the claims.

For a general understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which;

Fig. 1 is asectional view of an actuating handle for control apparatusconstructed in accordance with this invention and showing it associatedwith switching members which are illustrated diagrammatically,

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of one of the switch-actuating membersprovided in conjunction with the actuating handle,

Fig. 3 isa top plan view of a second switchactuating member provided onthe actuating 45 handle,

Fig. l is a top plan view of an interlock provided on the actuatinghandle, and

Fig. 5 is a diagram of a control system with which this invention may beused.

Referring now to the drawings, a shaft 10 may be utilized for operatingthe throttle of a gas engine or some other prime mover to control thefuel supply. As shown, the shaft 10 is disposed near a panel 11. whichis proo5 vided with a plurality of openings 12 and 13 for receivin ametal plug 14, as illustrated in Fig. 4. 'fhe panel may be of anysuitable type in which a plurality of contact members are disposedadjacent each opening to engage the plug 14, so that the latter may beutilized for establishing selected circuits.

, In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, two switches 15 and16, which are illustrated diagrammatically, are disposed for operationby the actuating handle to be described hereinafter. As will beobserved, both of the switches are of the spring-pressed type. However,it will be readily understood that any suitable toggle switch may beutilized, and the selection of a switch will de pend on the circuits tobe controlled.

In order to provide for the actuation of the shaft 10, a handle 17 isprovided. As shown, the handle comprises an actuating member or grip 18provided with an opening 19 shaped to iit over the squared end 20 of theshaft 10.

'In multipleunit gas-electric trains, it often becomes necessary totransfer the operator from one end of the train to the other, or fromone car to another, and, in order to provide for the transfer of theactuating handle, the opening 19 is made large enough to perm'it it tobe readily mounted on, or removed from, the shaft 10. Ordinarily, insuch systems, it is necessary to mount the handle 17 on the shaft in apredetermined neutral position.

As will be observed by referring to Fig. 1, the switch 15 is adapted tocontrol two circuits. As illustrated, the contact plate 21 of the switch15 is normally held in engagement with contact fingers 22 and 23 by aspring 24:. However, the contact plate 21 may be actuated intoengagement with contact fingers 25 and 26, thereby to establish onecircuit and interrupt another in a manner that will be set forthhereinafter.

In order to provide for the operation of the switch 15, aswitch-actuating member 27 is slidably mounted in the hollow grip oractuating member 18. According to the illustration, the switch-actuatingmember 27 includes a head 28 and a stem 29, which is provided with-athreaded end 80. The head 28 is provided with a slot 31 through whichthe squared end 20 of the shaft 10 may extend w ien the actuating handleis mounted thereon. Therefore, the switch-actuating member 27 may be;moved longitudinally, relative to the handle 18, for the purpose ofactuating the switch 15.

In this construction, the member 27 is biased to the right by a spring32, which is' disposed in a chamber 33 provided in the grlp or handpiece of the handle 17. As illustrated, the spring is interposed betweenthe wall defining the inner end of the chamber 33 and a cap 34 mountedon the threaded end of the stem 29 of the switch-actuating member. U

Accordingly, the switch-actuated member is normally retained out ofengagement with the switch 15. An upwardly extending semicircular flange35 is provided on the head 28 of the switch-actuating member 27 anddisposed in alinement with a shank 36 provided on the contact plate 21of the switch 15. Therefore, .when the switch-actuating member 27 ismanually operated to thrust it to the left, as viewed in F 1, the shank36 of the switch 15 is engaged, and the switch member is projected intoengagement with the contact fingers 25 and 26.

In order to retain the switch plate 21 of the switch 15 in engagementwith the contact fingers 25 and 26, a lock is provided. 7

The locking means for the switch-actuating member 27 and the switch 15is best shown in Fig. 2. As illustrated, a bracket 37, adapted formounting on any suitable support, is disposed adjacent the head of theswitchactuating member 27. A roller 38 is mounted on the end of thebracket and located in alinement with a semi-circular depending flange39 provided on the lower face of the head 28 of the switch-actuatingmember 27. The flange 39 is notched at 40 to permit it to be projectedover the roller 38 when the handle is set in its neutral position.

A second switcl1actuating member 41 constitutes, in this particularcase, as illustrated in Fig. 3, a cam that may be eitherformed on theunderside of the actuating handle 17 or attached thereto in any suitablemanner. As will be observed, the switch-actuating cam 41 is providedwith a depression 42, which is disposed to receive a shank 43 providedfor actuating the bridging member 44 of the switch 16. Normally, thebridging member 44 of the switch 16 is retained in its open position bya spring 45, and may be projected into engagement with contact fingers46 and 47 when the switch-actuating member 41 is operated by themovement of the handle 17.

In order to prevent the insertion of the plug 14 into, or the withdrawalof it from, one of the openings in the panel 11, after theswitch-actuating member 27 has been operated to establish predeterminedcircuits, and the handle 17 has been actuated from its neutral position,two upwardly extending flanges 48 and 49, which form an interlockingdevice, are provided on the actuating member 13. These flange membersare so disposed that, when the handle is set in its neutral position toclose the throttle through the actuation of the shaft- 10, access maybehad to the openings 12 and 13. v

In operation, when it is desired to actuate the switch member 15 tobridge the contact fingers 25 and 26, the switch-actuating member 27 ismoved to the left, and the roller 38 passesthroug'h'the notch 40. If theactuating handle is now moved to rotate the shaft 10, a section of theflange 39passes behind or to the left of the roller 38 and locks theswitchactuating member 27, so as to retain the switch member 21. inengagement with the contact fingers 25 and 26.

It will be'readily understood that, when the actuating handle 17 hasbeen moved out of its neutral position, one of the flanges 48 or 49 ismoved in front of the openings 12 and 13, thereby preventing access tothe panel to remove or insert the plug 14 after the shaft- 10 has beenoperated to open the throttle. The operation of the handle from itsneutral position also operates the cam 41 to close the switch 16 againstthe action of the spring 45.

If the handle 17 is actuated from its neutral position before theswitch-actuating member 27 is projected to the left, one portion of theflange 39 is moved in front or to the right of the roller 38, therebylocking the switch-actuating member against operation. From theforegoing, it will be readily under stood that the switch-actuatingmember 27 may be operated only when the handle 17 is in its neutralposition. v

In order that the construction and operation of the actuating handle maybe clearly understood, a. simple control circuit for a gas-electricpower system with which it may be utilized, will now bedescribed. In thecontrol system illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 5, a generator 50,that may be driven by a gas engine, is connected to supply energy tomotors 51 and 52. A field winding 53 of the generator may be suppliedfrom any suitable source of electrical energy, such as a battery 54.

Assume now that it is desired to operate the motors 51 and 52 inparallel relation and in the forward direction. A switch is actu ated toconnect the battery across the generator field winding 53 and also toconnect the battery 54 for supplying the control circuits. While theactuating handle 17 is still in the neutral position, the metal plug 14is inserted in the opening 13 in the panel 11, and the switch-actuatingmember 27 is manually operated to the left to actuate the switch 15 andproject the plate 21 into engagement with the contact fingers 25 and 26.

If now, the actuating handle 17 is moved in the forward direction, theswitch 16 is closed by cam 41, as described above. and a circuit extendsfron'i the battery 54 through switch 55, conductor 56, switch 16,conductor 57,

plug 14 mounted in the opening 13, contact fingers 58 and 59, bridged bycontact segment 60 of the reverser drum controller 61, conductors 62 and63, contact fingers 25 and 26, bridged by the contact plate 21 of theswitch 15, conductor 64, and through the parallelconnected actuatingcoils of the switches 65 and 66, to the battery through conductor 67.

The switches 65 and 66 are thus closed, and the motors 51 and 52 areconnected in parallel relation across the generator 50. The motorcircuits may be traced from the positive terminal of the generator 50through conductor 68, the parallel-connected motors 51 and 52, andconductor 69 back to the generator.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the switch 15cannot be actuated to interrupt the established motor connections, andthe plug 14 cannot be withdrawn until the actuating handle 17 has beenreturned to its neutral position.

Further, assume that the actuating handle 17 is operated to rotate theshaft 10 before the switch-actuating member 27 is operated. The switch15 is, therefore. retained in engagement with the contact fingers 22 and23, and, when the handle 17 is moved from its neutral position, theswitch-actuating member is locked against operation. The movement of thehandle 17 effects the actuation of the switch 16, and a circuit isestablished from the energized conductor 63 through contact fingers 22and 23, bridged by the contact plate 21 of the switch 15, conductor 70,the actuating coil of the switch 71, and conductor 67, back to thebattery. The motors are now connected in series relation and currentflows from the generator 50 through conductor 68, motor 51, conductor72, switch 71, motor 52, and conductor 69 to the generator.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a. simplyconstructed and eflicient operating handle for actuating the controlmembers of a gas-electric control system has been provided. The membersof the handle are so disposed that, when predetermined circuits areestablished, they cannot be interrupted until the handle is actuated toits neutral position, thereby reducing the speed of the engine and thevoltage of the generator to a safe amount for the interruption ofcertain circuits and the establishment of other circuits.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention may be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In control apparatus, in combination, an actuating handle,switch-actuating means movably mounted on the handle, means for lockingthe switch-actuating means, said locking means being adapted to permitfree movement of the switch-actuating means when the handle is in apredetermined position, and a switch-actuating member disposed foroperation by the movement of the handle.

2. In control apparatus, in combination, an actuating handle,switch-actuating means carried by the handle and disposed for manualoperation, and means for locking the switch-actuating means when thehandle is moved from a predetermined position.

3. In control apparatus, in combination, an actuating handle,switchactuating means carried by the handle and disposed for manualoperation, locking means for the switch-actuating means, said lockingmeans being adapted to permit operation of the switch-actuating meanswhen the handle is in a predetermined neutral position, and an interlockcarried by the handle anddisposed to function when the handle is movedfrom said neutral position.

In control apparatus provided with a shaft, in combination, ahandleadapted to be mounted on the shaft in a predetermined neutral position,a switch-actuatingmember movably mounted on the handle, and means forlockin the switch-actuating member when the handle is moved from itsneutral position to actuate the shaft.

In control apparatus provided with a shaft, in combination, a handleadapted to be mounted on the shaft in apredetermined neutral position, aswitch-actuating member movably mounted on the handle, means for lockingthe switch-actuating member when the handle is moved from. its neutralposition to actuate the shaft, an auxiliary switching member, andinterlocking means carried by the handle for preventing the operation ofthe auxiliary switching member when the handle is moved from its neutralposition.

6. In control apparatus provided with a shaft, in combination, anactuating handle adapted to be mounted on the shaft in a predeterminedneutral position, a manually operable switclraotuating member movablymounted on the handle, means for locking the switch-actuating memberwhen the handle is moved from the neutral position to actuate the shaft,and a second switch actuating member disposed to function when thehandle is actuated.

7. In control apparatus provided with a shaft and a plurality ofswitches, in combination, an actuating handle adapted to be mounted onthe shaft in a neutral position, a manually operable switch-actuatingmember carried by the handle and disposed for operation independently ofthe handle, means for locllring the switch-actuating member when. thehandle is moved from the neutral position, a second switch-actuatingmember disposed for operation by-theaotuation of the lle whereby theindependent switching means may be locked against operation when thehandle is actuated from its neutral position.

8. In control apparatus provided with a shaft, in combination, anactuating handle adapted to be mounted on the shaft in a neutralposition, a manually operable switchactuating member carried by thehandle and disposed for operation independently of the handle, a lockingmember for locking the switch-actuating member against movement relativeto the handle after the handle has been actuated from its neutralposition, an auxiliary switching member and flange members carried bythe handle and disposed to move in front of said auxiliary switchingmember to lock it against operation when said switching actuating memberhas been locked in a predetermined position.

9'. In control apparatus provided with a shaft, in combination, anactuating handle adapted to be mounted on the shaft in a predeterminedneutral position, a manually operable switch-actuating member slidablymounted on the handle, resilient means for retaining the switchactuating member in a predetermined position, and a locking memdisposedto engage said switch-actuating member when it has been manually movedfrom said predetermined position and the handle has been actuatedfromits neutral position.

10. In control apparatus provided with a shaft, in combination, anactuating handle adapted to be mount-ed on. the shaft in a predeterminedneutral position, a slidably mounted switch-actuating member carried bythe handle, resilient means for biasing the switch-actuating member to apredetermined position, and a locking member for retainlng theswltch-actuatlng member in a position to which it may be actuatedagainst the action of said resilient means, said switchactuating memberbeing provided with a notched dependingfiange for engaging the lockingmember, said notched flange being adapted to permit the switch actuatingmember to be actuated freely when the handle is in a predeterminedposition and to cooperate for locking the switch-actuating member indifferent positions when the handle has been actuated from its neutralposition, and means for preventing the operation of one of said switcheswhen the switch-actuating member has been locked in a predeterminedposition.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscri lraed my name this 2nd dayof February, 192 r SAMUEL B. SCHENCK.

